Interception call signaling method and apparatus between a gatekeeper and an intelligent peripheral in a voice frame network

ABSTRACT

Telecommunications apparatus between a voice frame network gatekeeper and an intelligent peripheral, e.g. an interactive voice response unit (IVR), includes a voice frame network connection for coupling the same. The apparatus further includes a protocol over the connection that provides supplemental service messaging therebetween, the protocol enabling the gatekeeper to selectively insert one or more messages to the intelligent peripheral and to selectively intercept one or more messages therefrom. Preferably such insertion is of one or more GR-1129-CORE send-to-resource (STR) messages and such interception is of one or more ITU-T H.323 FACILITY messages including a RETURN RESULTS component. An invocation mechanism within the gatekeeper and a performance mechanism within the IVR permits the gatekeeper to set a defined task to the IVR, also preferably in accordance with the ITU-T H.323 and H.450 standards. The method involves configuring the gatekeeper as a supplemental services provider (SSP) and configuring the IVR as an intelligent peripheral, under ITU-T H.450. The method further involves conveying requests from the gatekeeper to the IVR and conveying responses thereto from the IVR to the gatekeeper, wherein the gatekeeper selectively intercepts one or more messages from the IVR and, optionally, also selectively inserts one more messages to the IVR.

RELATED PATENTS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/609,201 entitled VOICE FRAME NETWORKGATEKEEPER-TO-INTELLIGENT PERIPHERAL INTERFACE METHOD AND APPARATUSfiled Jun. 30, 2000 and subject to assignment in common herewith toCisco Technology, Inc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to voice frame networkgatekeepers and intelligent peripherals such as interactive voiceresponse units (IVRs), and more particularly it concerns method andapparatus for interfacing gatekeepers to intelligent peripherals via theITU H.323 and H.450 standards.

[0003] Previously, intelligent peripherals have been connected togatekeepers within the Internet using proprietary interfaces. One suchproprietary interface is (Bellcore) GR-1129-CORE, which can be used toconnect an intelligent peripheral such as an IVR into an advancedintelligent network (AIN). The AIN includes a switch service point (SSP)with call-processing software and voice channel control and a servicecontrol point (SCP) with data-based (e.g. 800 or LNP) informationrequired by the SSP to route a call. The intelligent peripheral is aspecial resource that provides additional functionality, e.g. IVR, tothe SSP that may be required by the SCP. When the SSP receives aGR-1129-CORE message from the SCP containing an operation value, e.g. a‘0’ (play announcement), ‘1’ (play announcement and collect digits) or‘4’ (flex parameter block), it passes the content to the intelligentperipheral through ISDN or Q.931. When the intelligent peripheral, e.g.an IVR, starts the specified function, it establishes a voice channel tothe user through the SSP. Because the SSP controls the voice channel, itcan provide such services as call transfer after the IVR transaction isfinished.

[0004] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the referenced ITUand related standards are well known, evolving standards. Accordingly,reference herein to these standards will be understood to mean thestandards as they existed at the time of the earliest effective filingdate of the present application, and as they have evolved to date, andas they continue to evolve over the term of any patent that issuesherefrom. Applicants note that an instructive earlier version of the ITUH.450.1 standard is described in Generic functional protocol for thesupport of supplementary services in H. 323, date unknown; that theGR-1129-CORE standard is described in AINGR: Switch—IntelligentPeripheral Interface (IPI), Revision 1, October, 1998 and AINGR:Switch—Service Control Point (SCP)/Adjunct Interface, September 1997;that the ITU-T H.225.0, ITU-T H.450.2 and ITU-T Q.931 standards aredescribed in Call Signaling Protocols and Media Stream Packetization forPacket Based Multimedia Communications Systems, February 1998, CallTransfer Supplementary Service for H. 323I, September 1997 and ISDNUser-Network Interface Layer 3 Specification for Basic Call Control,March 1993, respectively.

[0005] No intelligent peripheral interface has been proposed heretoforethat is compatible with the ITU-T H.323 or related H.225, H.245, H.450and Q.931 standards, and the GR-1129-CORE standard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention involves telecommunications apparatus between avoice frame network gatekeeper and intelligent peripheral. One suchexemplary intelligent peripheral is the interactive voice response unit(IVR) described and illustrated herein. Other intelligent peripheralsmay use the invented interface, however, within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

[0007] Telecommunications apparatus between a voice frame networkgatekeeper and an intelligent peripheral, e.g. an interactive voiceresponse unit (IVR), includes a voice frame network connection forcoupling the same. The apparatus also includes a protocol over theconnection that provides supplemental service messaging therebetween,the protocol enabling the gatekeeper to selectively insert one or moremessages to the intelligent peripheral and to selectively intercept oneor more messages therefrom. Preferably such insertion is of one or moreGR-1129-CORE send-to-resource (STR) messages and such interception is ofone or more ITU-T H.323 FACILITY messages including a RETURN RESULTScomponent. An invocation mechanism within the gatekeeper and aperformance mechanism within the IVR permits the gatekeeper to set adefined task to the IVR, also preferably in accordance with the ITU-TH.323 and H.450 standards.

[0008] The method involves configuring the gatekeeper as a supplementalservices provider (SSP) and configuring the IVR as an intelligentperipheral, under ITU-T H.450. The method further involves conveyingrequests from the gatekeeper to the IVR and conveying responses theretofrom the IVR to the gatekeeper, wherein the gatekeeper selectivelyintercepts one or more messages from the IVR and, optionally, alsoselectively inserts one more messages to the IVR.

[0009] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will become more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment that proceeds with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a system block diagram illustrating a voice framenetwork with a gatekeeper and an intelligent peripheral interfaced inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the H.323 gatekeeper,intelligent peripheral and gateway architecture in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic diagram of thegatekeeper-to-intelligent peripheral interface in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the interface method inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014]FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a network 10, i.e. theInternet, with a voice frame network, e.g. an H.323 network, 12 forminga part thereof. A gatekeeper 14 and one or more intelligent peripherals,e.g. interactive voice response units (IVRs), 16 a, 16 b may be seen torepresent two or more nodes within voice frame network 12. Those ofskill in the art will appreciate that typically there may be many suchvoice frame networks such as voice frame network 12 connected to theInternet. Those of skill in the art also will appreciate that typicallythere may be many such connected gatekeepers and intelligent peripheralssuch as gatekeeper 14 and IVR 16 a.

[0015] A public switched telephone network (PSTN) 18 may connect voicetraffic from one or more telephones 20 to H.323 network 12 via one ormore H.323 gateways (GWs) 22 a, 22 b, 22 c. A customer database 24 isconnected to H.323 network 12 to provide needed preferences such asscripts, announcements or other recordings for play out, as will bedescribed. Internet protocol (IP) phones 26 or other H.323 devices mayalso be connected to H.323 network 12, as shown.

[0016] The invented gatekeeper-to-intelligent peripheral interface isindicated generally at 28. Interface 28 will be understood to beimplemented preferably in software or firmware, but it may beimplemented, within the spirit and scope of the invention, in hardware.Interface 28 will be understood to span and interconnect—as well asdefine the behavioral relationship between—gatekeeper 14 and intelligentperipheral 16. Interface 28 accordingly may be implemented as compatibleand communicative software modules residing in gatekeeper 14 and IVR 16a, preferably integrated with the software that controls theconventional functions of the gatekeeper and the intelligent peripheral.

[0017]FIG. 2 shows H.323 GW 22 a terminating the public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) signaling channel and voice channel andoriginating H.323 signaling channels 12 a, 12 b and an RTP/RTCP (voice)stream. Because H.323 gatekeeper 14 does not directly control the voicechannel, it is provided with auxiliary means to obtain indirect controlof the voice channel via interface 28 to IVR 16 a. Importantly, suchauxiliary means are compatible with the existing GR-1129-CORE-basedstandards, and, by extension thereof but without modification, theinterface provides for the needed call transfer and other features underthe International H.323/H.225./H.245/H.450 standards. Accordingly, theinvented H.323 gatekeeper-intelligent peripheral interface 28 providesfull and extensible functionality and compatibility with old and newstandards and protocols.

[0018] Also shown in FIG. 2 is a conventional SCP 15 with associateddata storage device, e.g. disc drive, 15 a. Those of skill in the artwill appreciate that in accordance with the invention, gatekeeper 14 iscapable of selective interception and insertion or removal of messagesand content between the gatekeeper and the intelligent peripheral, aswill be explained in detail below. Importantly, such selectiveinterception and insertion or removal of messages and content permitsmuch greater flexibility in messaging between a calling party and acalled party, yet without any required modification to the installedbase of SCPs and associated data storage devices.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows interface apparatus 28 in the form of a more detailedschematic diagram. Gatekeeper 14 may be seen to be interfaced to IVR 16a via interface 28 by inclusion preferably of memory-resident softwareinstructions executed by a processor that forms a part of the gatekeeperand intelligent peripheral. In other words, additional code may readilybe installed in the existing base of gatekeepers and intelligentperipherals to render them compatible with the International H.323standard. The invented apparatus in a preferred embodiment of theinvention thus preferably includes a voice frame network connection 12 cfor coupling gatekeeper 14 to IVR 16 a. It further includes protocols(RAS, H.225+H.450.1+GR-1129-CORE) over the connection that providessupplemental services messaging between the gatekeeper and theintelligent peripheral, the protocol conveying a REQUEST from thegatekeeper to the intelligent peripheral and a RESPONSE from theintelligent peripheral to the gatekeeper. Finally, it includes a commandstructure (to be described below) embedded in such request/responseprotocol, the command structure including a call-transferrequest/response sequence to which the gatekeeper is responsive.

[0020] Interface apparatus 28 in another preferred form may be thoughtof as coordinating a voice frame network gatekeeper and an intelligentperipheral. Preferably, in this form, interface apparatus 28 includes aninvocation mechanism 30 within gatekeeper 14 for setting a defined taskto IVR 16 a via in-band signaling. Interface apparatus 28 furtherincludes a performance mechanism 32 within the intelligent peripheralresponsive to the invocation mechanism for performing the defined task.Importantly, the invocation mechanism and the performance mechanismcomply with International H.323, H.225 and H.450.x standards (where xindicates successive versions).

[0021]FIG. 4 illustrates the invented gatekeeper-to-intelligentperipheral interfacing method preferably is implemented in accordancewith the invention. At 100, gatekeeper 14 is configured as asupplemental services provider (SSP) under the H.323 and H.450.xstandards. At 102, IVR 16 a is configured as an Intelligent Peripheralunder the same standard.

[0022] At 104, requests are conveyed from gatekeeper 14 to IVR 16 a overvoice frame network 12 in accordance with a defined protocol, e.g. theprotocol described above or a suitable alternative. Those of skill inthe art will appreciate that, in accordance with the present invention,gatekeeper 14 selectively inserts a message, e.g. an STR message, to theintelligent peripheral, e.g. IVR 16 a. Gatekeeper 14 also may, inaccordance with the spirit and scope of the invention, selectivelyremove a message, e.g. a reject (REJECT) component of a release complete(RELEASE COMPLETE) message, from the message stream to the intelligentperipheral, e.g. IVR 16 a.

[0023] At 106, responses to the requests are conveyed from IVR 16 a togatekeeper 14 and are received by gatekeeper 14 over voice frame network12 in accordance also with a defined protocol, as described andillustrated herein. For example, IVR 16 a may return any of the standardoperation return result, return error or reject transaction responsesunder International standard H.450.x. Those of skill in the art willappreciate that, in accordance with the present invention, gatekeeper 14selectively intercepts a message, e.g. a FACILITY message containing aRETURN RESULTS component, from the intelligent peripheral, e.g. IVR 16a. Such selective message interception may be referred to herein asselective message termination by the gatekeeper.

[0024] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that BellcoreGR-1129-CORE for AIN 0.1 provides an interface between an AIN SSP and anAIN intelligent peripheral. It has following three characteristic typesof information exchange on an ISDN interface between SSP and anintelligent peripheral: 1) The SCP requiring the intelligent peripheralto exchange information with a user, in which the SSP forwards data fromthe SCP to an intelligent peripheral and sets up an in-band connectionbetween the user and the intelligent peripheral; 2) The SSP supportingISDN BRI and PRI between an intelligent peripheral and an SSP forsignaling and transport for call originations and call terminations; 3)The SSP providing protocol inter-working from an intelligent peripheralon ISDN BRI and PRI to a SCP for non-call associated signaling.

[0025] The interface between the GK and the H.323 intelligent peripheraluses the H.450.1 APDU in the H.225.0 call signaling messages and followsthe GR-1129-CORE signaling scheme originally for interface between theSSP and an ISDN-connected intelligent peripheral. The high levelarchitecture of this interface is showed in FIG. 2. The GK can beconsidered an SSP that provides specified SCP services and the H.323 IVRcan be considered an intelligent peripheral. Importantly, in accordancewith the present invention, GK is programmed selectively to insertmessages, e.g. one or more send-to-resource (STR) messages, to theintelligent peripheral, e.g. IVR 16 a. Also importantly, GK isprogrammed further selectively to intercept messages, e.g. one or morefacility (FACILITY) messages, from the intelligent peripheral, e.g. IVR16a, wherein typically the intercepted FACILITY message contains areturn results (RETURN RESULTS) component.

[0026] TABLE 1 below summarizes the GR-1129-CORE defined signalingsupported by an SSP used for the GK in accordance with invention. TABLE1 SSP supported signaling providing for SSP supported signaling used byGK Setting up a connection between a user and A trigger is encounteredby the GK, and an intelligent peripheral, and passing related service isinvoked to process the information between a service on SCP and call.The service can be resident on the the intelligent peripheral related tothat GK or on a SCP. The service requires GK connection to setup aconnection between user and the H.323 intelligent peripheral to exchangeinformation between them related to the call Passing non-call associateddata between Passing non-call associated data, such as the service onSCP and an ISDN-connected authentication information, password or devicePersonal Identification Number (PIN), etc., between the service on GK orSCP and the H.323 intelligent peripheral Allowing call origination andcall Allowing call terminating at the H.323 termination over theintelligent peripheral intelligent peripheral, such as playing anannouncement before release the call and the H.323 intelligentperipheral reports the result to GK

[0027] In order to use GR-1129 for interface between GK and the H.323intelligent peripheral, the GR-1129-CORE message Send_To_Resource (STR)can be generated by any services that request the intelligent peripheralresource, either AIN services on SCP or H.323 services on GK. Theoperation of the STR message is contained in an H.450 ApplicationProtocol Data Unit (APDU) carried in the H.225.0 FACILITY or SETUPmessage and response is returned in a non-standard data carried in theH.225.0 FACILITY or RELease COMplete message. Other H.225.0 callsignaling messages are not allowed to carry a STR operation.

[0028] The above-referenced protocol and command structure now will bedescribed. Preferably, conveying step 104 includes invoking acall-transfer request/response sequence to which the intelligentperipheral is responsive to route a given call to a different telephoneline (extended value ‘100’), the number of which is provided inconjunction with the call-transfer request/response sequence (viaflex-parameter-block and/or database 24). More preferably, conveyingstep 104 further includes invoking play-recorded-audio (value ‘0’) andplay-recorded-audio-and-await-digital-input (value ‘1’) sequences towhich IVR 16 a is responsive. Most preferably, conveying step 104further includes invoking flex-parameter-block (value ‘4’),play-recorded-audio-and-terminate-call (extended value ‘101’) andplay-recorded-audio-using-specified-script (extended value ‘102’)sequences to which IVR 16 a is responsive. Those of skill in the artwill appreciate that, in accordance with the invention, the protocol andembedded command are realized by in-band signaling, between thegatekeeper and the intelligent peripheral, i.e. signaling or messagingacross network connection 12 c.

[0029] TABLES 2 through 5 immediately below summarize STR signalingbetween GK 14 and IVR 16 a, in accordance with the invention by the useof H.450.1 APDU, which is compatible nevertheless compatible with bothITU H.323 and GR-1129-CORE. TABLES 2-5 are believed to beself-explanatory to those of ordinary skill in the art. TABLE 2 GK USESFACILITY MESSAGE WHEN A SUBSEQUENCE COMPONENT IS SENT TO H.323 IVR FORACTIVE STR-CONNECTION Information Element Value Inclusion ConditionProtocol discriminator Q.931 Mandatory Call reference (CR) CR value =value in SETUP message Mandatory Message type FACILITY MandatoryUser-to-User Mandatory H.450.1 APDU Invoke component (See Section 5.2.3of Mandatory for IVR GR-2823-CORE.) interface

[0030] TABLE 3 H.323 DIR USES FACILITY MESSAGE FOR SUBSEQUENCE RESULTEXCHANGE WITH GK FOR ACTIVE STR-CONNECTION Information Element ValueInclusion Condition Protocol discriminator Q.931 Mandatory Callreference (CR) CR value = value in SETUP message Mandatory Message typeFACILITY Mandatory User-to-User Mandatory H.450.1 APDU Return Result,Return Error, or Reject Mandatory for IVR component (See Section 5.2.3of GR- interface 2823-CORE.)

[0031] TABLE 4 H.323 DIR USES RELEASE COMPLETE MESSAGE TO INDICATE ITHAS RELEASED BOTH BEARER AND SIGNALING CHANNELS AND CALL REFERENCEInformation Element Value Inclusion Condition Protocol discriminatorQ.931 Mandatory Call reference CR value = value in SETUP messageMandatory Message type RELease COMplete Mandatory Cause (defined in 16 =normal clearing (currently not Mandatory Q.931) used) 21 = call rejected65 = bearer capability not implemented User-to-User Mandatory H.450.1APDU Return Result, Return Error, or Reject Mandatory for IVR component(See Section 5.2.3 of GR- interface 2823-CORE.)

[0032] TABLE 5 GK USES SETUP MESSAGE TO ESTABLISH STR-CONNECTION TOH.323 TVR AND REQUEST “sendToResource” OPERATION Information ElementValue Inclusion Condition Protocol discriminator Q.931 Mandatory Callreference (CR) any valid value not in use Mandatory Message type SETUPMandatory Bearer capability See Section 7.3.10 of H.225.0 MandatoryUser-to-User Mandatory H.450.1 APDU Invoke component (See Section 5.2.3of Mandatory for IVR GR-2823-CORE.) interface Other information Asdefined in H.225.0 As required in elements (Calling party H.225.0 forCalling number, Called party Party Number if number, etc.) as definedsubscribed to by the in Table 11 of H.225.0 IVR

[0033] Setup and clearing of the connection between the GK and the H.323intelligent peripheral in accordance with the invention will now brieflybe described.

[0034] If the SETUP message is not acceptable (e.g., the protocol errorsand invalid Invoke component), the H.323 intelligent peripheral respondswith a RELease COMplete message that contains a Return Result, ReturnError, or Reject component.

[0035] A preferred method of clearing a GK initiated STR-connection isto have the GK send a “cancelResource” operation in a FACILITY messageto the H.323 intelligent peripheral when the GK receives aCancel_Resource_Event message from the SCP, when the calling user hangsup while the STR-connection is active, or when the GK applicationdecides to terminate the IVR service due to some error condition. The GKexpects the H.323 intelligent peripheral to send a RELease COMpletemessage when the H.323 intelligent peripheral receives the“cancelResource” operation in a FACILITY message.

[0036] The invoker (GK) uses the return result component described belowin TABLE 6 to request an operation from the performer (intelligentperipheral, e.g. IVR). TABLE 6 INVOKE COMPONENT Data Element ValueInclusion Condition Component type Invoke as defined in Section 5.4.1 ofGR-2823- Mandatory CORE for Primary Rate interface (PRI) InvokeIdentifier Invoke identifier value = any value not in use. MandatoryInvoke identifier is defined in Section 5.4.2 of GR-2823-CORE for PRIOperation value Use Operation value tag and length for object Mandatoryidentifier as defined in Section 5.4.5 of GR- 2823-CORE for PRI.Argument(s) The possible arguments for “sendToResource” Conditionaloperation are: Resource Type, strParameterBlock and DisplayText. Thereis no argument for “cancelResource” operation.

[0037] The IVR uses the return result component described below in TABLE7 to return results and to indicate that the operation was performedsuccessfully. TABLE 7 RETURN RESULT COMPONENT Data element ValueInclusion Condition Component type Return Result as defined in Section5.4.1 of Mandatory GR-2823-CORE for PRI. Invoke Identifier Invokeidentifier value = value in Invoke Mandatory component for thiscomponent exchange. Sequence Sequence is defined in Section 5.4.6 of GR-Conditional (included if 2823-CORE for PRI. any results are returned)Operation value Use Operation value tag and length for Conditional(included if object identifier as defined in Section 5.4.5 any resultsare returned) of GR-2823-CORE for PRI. Results The possible results for“sendToResource” Conditional operation are: ReturnBlock

[0038] The GK and the intelligent peripheral use the return errorcomponent described below in TABLE 8 to indicate the requested operationwas performed unsuccessfully. For example, the GK uses it to signal theintelligent peripheral that an error was discovered in its returncomponent, and the intelligent peripheral uses it to signal the GK thatan error was discovered in the invoke component. TABLE 8 RETURN ERRORCOMPONENT Data Element Value Inclusion Condition Component type ReturnError as defined in Section 5.4.1 of Mandatory GR-2823-CORE for PRI.Invoke Identifier Invoke identifier value = value in Invoke Mandatorycomponent for this component exchange Error value Use Error value tagand length as defined in Mandatory Section 5.4.7 of GR-2823-CORE forPRI. Parameter(s) FIGS. 4-3 of GRI-1129-CORE defines ConditionalError-parameter returned for “sendToResource” operation

[0039] The GK and intelligent peripheral use the reject componentdescribed below in TABLE 9 to indicate that a received operationcomponent was rejected. TABLE 9 REJECT COMPONENT Data Element ValueInclusion Condition Component type Reject as defined in Section 5.4.1 ofGR- Mandatory 2823-CORE for PRI Invoke Identifier Invoke identifiervalue = value in Invoke Mandatory component for this component exchangeProblem value Use Reason for component rejection as Mandatory defined inSection 5.4.8 or FIG. 5-3 in Section 5.5.1 or GR-2823-CORE for PRI.

[0040] The signaling procedures for the interface between the GK and theintelligent peripheral will be appreciated by those of skill in the artto be based on GR-1129-CORE procedures for an SSP communicating with anintelligent peripheral. The model used for signaling procedures is arequest/reply exchange. Briefly summarizing, the invoker (GK) requests aservice from the performer (intelligent peripheral, e.g. IVR). Itexpects that the performer respond either with success or failure to therequest from the invoker.

[0041] A component consists of a request to performer as an operation.An operation is an action to be performed by the remote end. A componentcan also consist of a report of success or failure due to execution ofthe operation by the remote end. In accordance with a preferredembodiment of the invention, four components are used to request andrespond to an operation between the GK and the intelligent peripheral.An operation is defined by its operation value and the argumentsassociated with the operation.

[0042] The four components tabulated above in TABLES 6 through 9 will bedescribed in more detail below.

[0043] The GK will use an invoke component to begin a new componentexchange with the intelligent peripheral. In accordance with inventedinterface 28, the intelligent peripheral will not initiate a newcomponent exchange with the GK. The invoke component contains aparameter to identify an operation and the arguments needed by theperformer to perform the requested operation.

[0044] If the requested operation is performed successfully, theintelligent peripheral will send a return result component in responseto the invoke component from the GK (the invoker). The return resultcomponent may contain some parameters to be returned to the invoker.

[0045] The intelligent peripheral will send a return error component tothe GK in response to the invoke component if the requested operationcannot be performed. The return error component contains a specificerror cause for each situation that indicates the reason for failure.Those of skill in the art will appreciate that, within the spirit andscope of the invention, it may contain other or additional parameters.

[0046] A Reject component will be sent by the intelligent peripheral toreject a received Invoke component. The components may be rejected forsuch reasons as protocol violations or unrecognized components orparameters. The reject component preferably contains a parameter thatindicates the reason for rejection.

[0047] The interface 28 command structure is briefly summarized below inTABLE 10. TABLE 10 REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR RESOURCE TYPE ReroutingResourceType StrParameterBlock Number Comments 0: PlayAnnouncementAnnouncementBlock N/A 1: PlayAnnouncement and AnnouncementDigit N/ACollect Digits Block 100: Perform CT N/A AlianAddress Intelligentperipheral will execute the H.450.2 CT to the endpoint specified by theReroutingNumber 101: Play Announcement AnnouncementBlock N/A Intelligentperipheral and Terminate the Call terminates the call after announcementis played 102: Play Announcement FlexParameterBlock (in N/A The scriptis executed with Specified Script which the name of the by the H.323script is given) intelligent peripheral

[0048] The GK sends an invoke component that contains an operation“sendToResource” in a SETUP message to the intelligent peripheral. Theintelligent peripheral responds with appropriate H.225.0 call signalingmessages, such as CALL PROCeeding, ALTERing, or CONNect, and accepts theSTR-connection. The intelligent peripheral either sends a return resultcomponent (contained in H.450.1 APDU of the RELease COMplete message) ifthe operation is performed successfully, or a return error component(contained in the non-standard data of the RELease COMplete message) ifthe operation cannot be performed. In accordance with a preferredembodiment of the invention, the intelligent peripheral does not clearthe STR-connection when it has taken the final action on the requestedoperation.

[0049] If the intelligent peripheral is unable to process the“sendToResource” operation contained in the SETUP message, it takes oneof the following actions:

[0050] The intelligent peripheral clears the STR-connection and rejectsthe SETUP message by sending a RELease COMplete message contains areject component. The intelligent peripheral may reject for such reasonsas protocol violations or unrecognized components. Preferably, thereject component contains a parameter that indicates the reason forrejection.

[0051] Preferably, the intelligent peripheral accepts the STR-connectionand then sends a FACILITY message if it does not recognize the“sendToResource” operation. The intelligent peripheral rejects for suchreasons as unrecognized operations. The reject component preferablycontains a parameter that indicates the reason for rejection.

[0052] For a STR-connection in the active state, the FACILITY message isalso used for the exchange of components over the existing signalingconnection. This signaling connection is identified by the callreference value of the corresponding STR-connection. If anSTR-connection associated FACILITY message is sent by using a callreference value of an active STR-connection, and this STR-connection iscleared due to STR-connection related causes, then the GK or theintelligent peripheral sends a response within H.450.1 APDU in the firstclearing message, i.e., the RELease COMplete message.

[0053] The GK sends a SETUP message to the intelligent peripheral whenthe GK requires intelligent peripheral service or the GK applicationreceives a STR message from the SCP. The following script illustrates avalid STR-connection establishment message sequence to the H.323intelligent peripheral.

[0054] H.225.0 Call Signaling With GR-1129-Core Extension Script

[0055] Setup (GK→IVR)

[0056] Timeout T303

[0057] Setup (GK→IVR)

[0058] Call

[0059] Proceeding (IVR→GK)

[0060] Altering (IVR→GK)

[0061] Connect (IVR→GK)

[0062] Connect Ack (GK→IVR)

[0063] It will be appreciated that if the H.323 intelligent peripheraldoes not respond within a predefined time limit, e.g. within timeoutT303, then a second SETUP message is sent. The only valid responsemessages sent by the H.323 intelligent peripheral to an incoming SETUPmessage are:

[0064] CALL PROCeeding—CONNect;

[0065] CALL PROCeeding—ALTERing—CONNect;

[0066] ALTERing—CONNect; or

[0067] CONNect.

[0068] A preferred method of clearing an H.323 intelligent peripheralinitiated STR-connection is to have the H.323 intelligent peripheralsend a RELease COMplete message in response to a SETUP message.

[0069] Such a flex-parameter-block sequence invokes in IVR 16 a adefined, but variable response, typically as may be determined byindividual manufacturers of the intelligent peripheral or gatekeeper.For example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, theflex-parameter-block sequence may contain a script file name that theintelligent peripheral has pre-loaded. When extended value ‘102’ isconveyed from the gatekeeper to the intelligent peripheral, the commandmay be toplay-announcement-using-script-name-specified-in-flex-parameter-block.The flex-parameter-block may contain the parameter script-file-2. Inresponse, the intelligent peripheral would load the specified scriptfile, e.g. from database 24, and play it out rather than a defaultannouncement. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the threeexisting defined GR-1129-CORE values, as well as the invented H.323values and the respective features represented thereby are furtherextensible as the H.323 intelligent peripheral services evolve inaccordance with the present invention. Any and all such overall featuresare contemplated, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0070] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the values andtheir functions described herein are illustrative only and that theinvention is not so limited. Any suitable set of functions assigned toany suitable set of values is contemplated, and is within the spirit andscope of the invention. Those of skill in the art also will appreciatethat the added functionality of the gatekeeper and intelligentperipheral made possible by provision of the invented interfacetherebetween is transparent to other voice frame network devices. Thisensures its broad compatibility in network design with the installedbase of intelligent peripheral (e.g. IVR), AIN, GR-1129-CORE and H.323equipment.

[0071] Finally, those of skill in the art will appreciate that theinvented method and apparatus described and illustrated herein may beimplemented in software, firmware or hardware, or any suitablecombination thereof. Preferably, the method and apparatus areimplemented in software, for purposes of low cost and flexibility. Thus,those of skill in the art will appreciate that the method and apparatusof the invention may be implemented by a computer or microprocessorprocess in which instructions are executed, the instructions beingstored for execution on a computer-readable medium and being executed byany suitable instruction processor. Alternative embodiments arecontemplated, however, and are within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

[0072] Having illustrated and described the principles of my inventionin a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that the invention can be modified inarrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claimall modifications coming within the spirit and scope of the accompanyingclaims.

1. Telecommunications apparatus between a voice frame network gatekeeperand an intelligent peripheral, the apparatus comprising: a voice framenetwork connection for coupling a gatekeeper to an intelligentperipheral, and a protocol over said connection that providessupplemental services messaging between the gatekeeper and theintelligent peripheral, said protocol enabling the gatekeeper toselectively insert one or more messages to the intelligent peripheraland to selectively intercept one or more messages from the intelligentperipheral.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said protocol furtherenables the selective insertion of one or more messages to thegatekeeper.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein such selectiveinsertion of one or more messages to the gatekeeper includes selectiveinsertion of one or more release complete (RELCOM) messages inaccordance with the International ITU-T H.323 standard.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein such selective insertion of one or more messages tothe gatekeeper includes selective insertion of one or moresend-to-resource (STR) messages in accordance with the GR-1129-COREstandard.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein such selectiveinterception includes selective interception of one or more facility(FACILITY) messages in accordance with the International ITU-T H.323standard.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the oneor more FACILITY messages includes a return results (RETURN RESULTS)component.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises: aservice control point operatively connected to the gatekeeper and to adatabase, said service control point providing information contained insaid database to the gatekeeper in response to a query therefrom. 8.Telecommunications apparatus for coordinating a voice frame networkgatekeeper and an interactive voice response unit including aperformance mechanism for performing a defined task responsive to thegatekeeper, the apparatus comprising: a voice frame network connectionfor coupling a gatekeeper to an interactive voice response unit; aninvocation mechanism within the gatekeeper for setting a defined task tothe interactive voice response unit via in-band signaling; and aprotocol enforcing processor that provides supplemental servicesmessaging between the gatekeeper and the intelligent peripheral oversaid interface processor, said enabling the gatekeeper to selectivelyinsert one or more messages to the interactive voice response unit andto selectively intercept one or more messages from the interactive voiceresponse unit.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said invocationmechanism and said performance mechanism comply with International ITU-TH.323 and H.450 standards.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein saidprocessor further enables selective insertion of one or more messages tothe gatekeeper.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein such selectiveinsertion of one or more messages to the gatekeeper includes selectiveinsertion of one or more release complete (RELCOM) messages inaccordance with the International ITU-T H.323 standard.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein such selective insertion of one or moremessages to the interactive voice response unit includes selectiveinsertion of one or more send-to-resource (STR) messages in accordancewith the GR-1129-CORE standard.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinsuch selective insertion of one or more messages to the gatekeeperincludes selective insertion of one or more facility (FACILITY) messagesin accordance with the International ITU-T H.323 standard.
 14. A methodof interfacing a voice frame network gatekeeper and an interactive voiceresponse unit (IVR) configured as an intelligent peripheral underInternational H.450 standard with a service control point (SCP), themethod comprising: configuring the gatekeeper as a supplemental servicesprovider (SSP) under International H.450 standard; first conveyingrequests from the gatekeeper to the IVR over the voice frame network inaccordance with a defined protocol; and receiving responses to therequests from the IVR at the gatekeeper over the voice frame network inaccordance with a defined protocol, wherein the gatekeeper selectivelyintercepts one or more messages from the IVR.
 15. A method of claim 14,which further comprises: configuring the IVR as an intelligentperipheral under International H.450 standard; and second conveyingresponses to the requests from the IVR to the gatekeeper over the voiceframe network in accordance with a defined protocol.
 16. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the gatekeeper selectively inserts one or moremessages to the IVR.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein such selectiveinterception includes selective interception of one or more facility(FACILITY) messages in accordance with the International ITU-T H.323standard, and wherein such selective insertion includes selectiveinsertion of one or more send-to-resource (STR) messages in accordancewith the GR-1129-CORE standard.
 18. A computer-readable mediumcontaining a program for interfacing a voice frame network gatekeeperand an interactive voice response unit (IVR) configured as anintelligent peripheral under International H.450 standard with a servicecontrol point (SCP), the program comprising: instructions forconfiguring the gatekeeper as a supplemental services provider (SSP)under International H.450 standard; instructions for first conveyingrequests from the gatekeeper to the IVR over the voice frame network inaccordance with a defined protocol; instructions for receiving responsesto requests from the IVR at the gatekeeper over the voice frame networkin accordance with a defined protocol; and instructions for selectivelyintercepting one or more messages from the IVR and for selectivelyinserting one or more messages to the IVR.
 19. A computer-readablemedium of claim 18, wherein the program further comprises: instructionsfor configuring the IVR as an intelligent peripheral under InternationalH.450 standard; and instructions for second conveying responses torequests from the IVR to the gatekeeper over the voice frame network inaccordance with a defined protocol.
 20. The computer-readable medium inaccordance with claim 18, wherein said instructions for selectivelyintercepting includes instructions for selectively intercepting one ormore facility (FACILITY) messages in accordance with the InternationalITU-T H.323 standard, and wherein said instructions for selectivelyinserting includes instructions for selectively inserting one or moresend-to-resource (STR) messages in accordance with the GR-1129-COREstandard.
 21. Apparatus for interfacing a voice frame network gatekeeperand an interactive voice response unit (IVR) configured as anintelligent peripheral under the International H.450 standard with aservice control point (SCP), the apparatus comprising: means forconfiguring the gatekeeper as a supplemental services provider (SSP)under the International H.450 standard; means for first conveyingrequests from the gatekeeper to the IVR over the voice frame network inaccordance with a defined protocol, said first conveying means includingsoftware instructions resident on a computer-readable medium andexecutable by a processor within the gatekeeper; means for receivingresponses to requests from the IVR at the gatekeeper over the voiceframe network in accordance with a defined protocol, said receivingmeans including software instructions resident on a computer-readablemedium and executable by a processor within the gatekeeper; and meansfor selectively intercepting one or more messages from the IVR and forselectively inserting one or more messages to the IVR, saidselective-intercepting-and-inserting means including softwareinstructions resident on a computer-readable medium and executable by aprocessor within the gatekeeper.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 whichfurther comprises: means for configuring the IVR as an intelligentperipheral under the International H.450 standard; and means for secondconveying responses to requests from the IVR to the gatekeeper over thevoice frame network in accordance with a defined protocol, said secondconveying means including software instructions resident on acomputer-readable medium and executable by a processor within the IVR.23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said means for selectivelyintercepting includes means for selectively intercepting one or morefacility (FACILITY) messages in accordance with the International ITU-TH.323 standard, and wherein said means for selectively insertingincludes means for selectively inserting one or more send-to-resource(STR) messages in accordance with the GR-1129-CORE standard.